KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE ON FIRST AID FOR PERSONS SUSTAINING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AMONG MEDHANIALEM SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, GULELE SUB CITY, ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

Abstract Background- Road traffic accidents (RTAs) represent a significant and growing public health challenge in Ethiopia, with a lack of formal pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) making bystander first aid a critical intervention. Secondary school students, a highly vulnerable and exposed demographic, are uniquely positioned as potential first respondents. However, a substantial gap exists in the literature regarding their specific first aid knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Objective- The aim of this study is to assess the KAP of first aid for RTAs among students at Medhanialem Secondary School in Gulele Subcity, Addis Ababa. Method- A school-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 361 regular secondary school students (grades 9-12). Result- The general awareness of first aid was nearly universal (99.4%). The findings revealed that 64.7%(n=225) of the students possessed good theoretical knowledge, and 78.2%(n=272) maintained a positive attitude toward providing first aid. Despite these high levels of awareness, a critical proficiency gap was identified, with only 12.1%(n=42) of participants demonstrating good practice in life-saving procedures. Furthermore, 67% of respondents admitted that they did not feel personally confident or capable of intervening in an emergency, largely due to a fear of causing additional harm to the victim. Conclusion- Despite high awareness and a positive attitude toward first aid among Medhanialem Secondary School students, there is a significant gap in practical skills and confidence to manage life-threatening emergencies. The inability to perform critical procedures such as airway management and cervical spine protection, combined with fear of causing harm, limits effective bystander intervention. These findings highlight the urgent need for structured, hands-on first aid training within the school setting to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice and improve timely emergency response. Keywords: Road Traffic Accidents, First Aid, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Secondary School Students, Ethiopia